November 2017 pre trip and trip reports

Arrived early this afternoon and got set up in site 433. Not much decor yet as we started our day at 2:30am and are feeling a little green around the gills. Enjoyed a Giddy up and Go from Trail's End, ventured over to DHS and picked up groceries at Publix. Our DD arrives tonight at midnight. We hope to go to Epcot tomorrow.
 
Glad to hear you made it Boomer1. I am just across the road in 125. We'll be at MK tomorrow but maybe I can find you on Friday or Saturday.

I'm moving over here to the November TR from the October TR thread. Makes sense since I put the Halloween Fort stuff over there and in here I will put my typical vacation stuff (parks, Fort pix, etc.).

Today was a down day after all the hubbub of getting checked in Sunday and setting up then decorating the golf cart on Monday and participating in the golf cart parade. Tuesday we caught our breath then had Trick or Treating at the Fort Tuesday night. Now on Wednesday it was a day to do laundry, make a grocery run to Wal Mart, and check out Disney Springs for treats for the people at home.

Of course, while at Disney Springs I went to Jock Lindsey's for the first time. Small, highly themed, and a neat space.

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People often ask if you can put a tent on a Premium site. And the answer is yes, you can but would you want to?

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The turkeys were out today in loop 300.

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My Gulf Shores DIS-mates will recognize I am truly in vacation mode now because I have broken out a small 300 piece puzzle to work on. This is when I am in re-lax-ation-mode. (It's a Donald Duck puzzle).

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The carriages and wagons were coming through the loop early this evening.

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Then tonight it was off to another little side trip.

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Bama Ed
 
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Tonight was a side trip over to the Poly (boat ride to MK, transfer to monorail) and visit Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Like Jock Lindsey's, small and highly themed.

(1022pm here and the last Mickey's Not So Scary of the year fireworks have been going off for a few minutes).

It's a small space so they did a head count when we got in the door to make sure we could take our seats (there were 49 people there so they let us sit down).

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I had done my research ahead of time and got the Krakatoa in the souvenir glass.

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The souvenir glass will be a nice addition to my collection to come at home.

For those who haven't been to Trader Sam's, I won't give away too much but there is fun and schtick when the volcano erupts (compare to photo #2 above). (Photo below taken from my seat - sorry for the angle).

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("I don't know ... where I'm gonna go ... when the vol-ca-no blows" says Jimmy)

After signing away a line of credit to settle the bill, Dad and I hop the monorail to MK again and glide down the ramp to the awaiting boat. The Contemporary is all lit up.

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Even in the dark, as Shelly says, the Fort dock feels like I am coming home.

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MK tomorrow. Out of pocket. Pix on Friday.

Ciao from the Fort!

Bama Ed

PS - Halloween decorations are 90% gone/down as of today November 1. Also it is a great day to check into loop 1500 because half the sites at least were empty this afternoon.
 
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Some Christmas stuff is up. No tree at the flagpole but Christmas music is playing on Main Street.
 


Thank you so much for sharing, Bama_Ed! We had just been wondering how much Christmas would be up and around. I'm thrilled to see that there's quite a bit already! Anyone know when they turn the Christmas lights on the castle? We've never been there this time of year, so that's what I'm most excited for! It's going to be magical! <3
 
Just looked it up and they said the decorations at the parks are finished by Nov 9th for the first Christmas party. That's perfect!
 


Bama Ed Thanks for all tales of the Halloween goings on and Photo's. Until you posted the pic of your current puzzle I was starting to worry that you theft were the victim of identity Very Happy to know we are following the real deal
 
Where was I?

Oh yeah, Dad and I just got into MK.

This is the new pre-rope drop schedule where they open the MK before 8am to let you browse, shop, and buy breakfast before the 9am official RD time. My approach to the day was to try to make sure to see some live performance/entertainment and not do just rides/rides/rides. My parallel objective was to do the collectible cup/mug thing in the MK.

Last trip in January I got a Dole Whip at the Poly in the cheap little souvenir bowl. I took it home and use it for my Chocolate Cheerios a few times a week (hey, Cheerios are good for you right?). Thus every time I use it I am taken back in my head for a brief moment to the Poly/Fort/WDW. So to expand my collection of kitchen ware, mugs were the plan. I started at Trader Sam's already with the Krakatoa glass.

Any way before RD, there is some live enternainment. A song/dance crew did a "Jolly Trolley" number between Casey's and the circle. But they had the Fire Truck pulled out there (yes, the song is "Jolly Trolley" and they used the Fire Truck). Later in the day from afar I saw the number again this time WITH the trolley.

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If you're a Dumbo-do-or-Die ride fan or 7DMT fan, join those folks standing on the circle spoke just to the right of the castle right ramp. It was the biggest line-up for RD.

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Finally the center court show rolls with Mickey and the gang to officially open the MK.

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The next live entertainment opportunity was a history lesson with the Muppets in Liberty Square. The subject was the Declaration of Independence and of course they made it quite funny.

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Later about 10am I was browsing the Main Street shops looking for a peace offering for DW then climbed the train station stairs to see Main Street filled with people showing up for the day.

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Then it was a good time to jump on the aforementioned trolley in front of the train station and clip clop up to the circle serenaded by the Dapper Dans ((you know a Bama Ed MK report will have a picture of the Dans in it).

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The first mug/jug/cup of the day was the Country Bear jug from Pecos Bill.

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And a walk-on to the Haunted Mansion (line was a lot longer when we got out).

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More in the next post.

Bama Ed
 
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Lunch was with an ADR at the Plaza which is the most affordable Table Service restaurant in MK. I got the grilled chicken sandwich and Dad got the salad and a mint chocolate milk shake (yummy).

A favorite of my Mom who couldn't make this trip is to sit and listen to the pianist at Casey's so we used her proxy to sit in and listen to more live entertainment.

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For the Christmas season the Jungle Cruise has become the Jingle Cruise - rode it twice. It's got some cute humor.

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The shrunken head salesman, Trader Sam, has become Trader Sam-ta for Christmas.

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The Liberty Belle Riverboat looked great in the sunshine (warm, 80s, beautiful day).

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Up at Gaston's Tavern I got souvenir cup #2 of the day, Lefou's Brew in the souvenir stein glass (the souvenir goblet was out of stock).

Later on, because I got the Country Bear jug, of course, I had to go see Henry and the guys do their show.

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My DD's hero is Big Al in Country Bears. Don't know why. His rendition of "Blood on the Saddle" is famous, though.

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Late afternoon we rode the train and got a cool picture of Main Street swathed in shadows but the castle in bright light in the distance.

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Time to roll over to another post.

Bama Ed
 
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At 530pm is the Flag Retreat in Main Street's Town Square and it is an entertainment event that has been performed at the MK since Opening Day in 1971. The Dapper Dans are there, the Main Street Philharmonic 12-piece marching band is there, the Main Street police are there, and the Town Hall Staff is there in their red vests. They lower the flag, we say the Pledge, sing the National Anthem and God Bless America, and they present it to a park guest with military experience. It was my first time and I enjoyed it.

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For dinner that night we had an ADR at the Jungle Skipper's Canteen and it was a smashing success to us. I got the salad topped with some steak which was good and souvenir cup #3 of the day with the Schweitzer Slush inside.

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Dad got the Whole Fish and it comes out on the plate impressively arranged.

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BTW is was a yellow tailed snapper. The head/jaws on the right in the picture and tail on the left. Despite its appearance, it was moist and delicious. Dad even licked the bones clean.

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Leaving the Canteen, Dad headed for the Fort and I roamed around taking pictures. You can tell I am no photographer like PaHunter but I will share some from the evening.

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I can see the finish line for this set of posts.

Bama Ed
 
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I'm getting excited for our trip to the Fort November 26-Dec 2! I keep checking to see if a full hook-up or higher has opened up, but nothing so far. We have a tent site, which will hold our trailer, but would prefer to have the hook-up so we can actually take advantage of the bathroom in the trailer! If not, at least we're at the Fort! Right now I'm sitting in the living room at my new house with the front door and lanai door open enjoying the lovely central Florida weather.
 
This morning is beautiful and quiet at the Fort. It only got down into the 60s last night and it's almost 11am.

Overnight a lost patrol of Squirrel Troopers or Rocky Raccoon banditos made an attempted hit on my outside cooler. They weren't successful but they left their fingerprints behind on the white lid.

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This morning dizneycheryl/Cheryl rode past in her cart on the way to TE and gave me a shout (returned) and FLBBQMAN/Ryan walked by with us on our way to the Settlement Bus depot (he was minus his white wig hair and face paint he wore with his Haunted Mansion Organ golf cart. Dad and I were headed to Wilderness Lodge to do the free Lobby Tour which covers the architectural points of the resort inside and out and other interesting points (W-Sa at 9am meet by the Fire Place in the lobby). A crowd was gathered but no ranger appeared so it was cancelled. Bummer.

Puzzle is coming along nicely.

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Just hanging around here today. Will do some loopin', porch sittin', nappin', and pulling out the coax and tv to set up for the games tomorrow.

Bama Ed
 
That sounds like a perfect day, Bama_Ed!

Doing a lot of baking today for road trip snacks! Camper is mostly packed and we just have a few last minute things to put on (bikes, helmets, baked goods, etc...) We leave tomorrow night - yippee!
 
Sounds like an excellent day, Ed! I am now inspired to look for new areas to explore in the parks!

Save travels, KCP!
 
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It seems that I read or saw a video about that moose. Something about him being a part of a breakfast show at Pioneer Hall.
 
It seems that I read or saw a video about that moose. Something about him being a part of a breakfast show at Pioneer Hall.
That breakfast Jets disappeared back in the late 80's It also featured Chip and Dale and it was a blast
 
Well it's Saturday morning which means I'm behind on giving a Friday update. It wasn't super-exciting but it had some fun moments. Above all, though, it was relaxing.

I had forgotten to tell you about the letter at our campsite from the Fort Management that we had when we got back from the MK on Thursday night. I'm assuming all my neighbors got it too.

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We didn't notice any problem with the water supply or the Comfort Station when we got back that night. Turns out a water main broke right in front of the 300 loop entrance.

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Back to yesterday.

After sleeping in and doing the morning posts, I set out my souvenir cup collection from this trip (one from Trader Sam's at the Poly, three from the MK):

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After lunch it was time to sit on the porch at Trails End (which was closed during lunch hours and not serving). The Segway tour group came by.

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And for tiggerdad, a TRUE Kickin' It photo with nobody in the picture. It was REALLY quiet and empty down there yesterday afternoon.

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Yesterday afternoon I finished up my Donald Duck puzzle.

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In the next post I'll tell you about our Friday afternoon activity.

Bama Ed
 
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Dang, I didn't know your dad was part piranha Ed. Hate to see what he would do to a rack of ribs...

Those prints on the cooler are racoon all the way. My boys don't leave prints, they leave empty coolers and snack bags.

We were in line for Killamanjaro Safari and we watched a squirrel take a bag of snacks right from the bottom of a parked stroller and make off with his loot.
 

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